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With several different posts detailing some of the intracacies of the South African Driver’s Licence system, a number of questions get repeated. This post aims to address some of the most common questions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

South Africa no longer has Code 8, 10 or 14 licences. In 1998 they were changed to the A, B, C, E format. You can see a comparison of before and after equivalents here. You can see what all the modern licence codes allow you to drive here.

I was arrested, charged, plead guilty to, arrested 2, 3, 5 years ago, can I get a PrDP?

You are unlikely to be approved for a PrDP if you were convicted, or plead guilty to any criminal offence in the last 5 years. That includes signing an admission of guilt. Usually this does not include ‘minor’ traffic offences such as parking or speeding tickets, assuming you were not convicted for reckless or negligent driving. If you were just arrested, or charged, but never actually convicted, you should be able to get a PrDP.

I am driving a bakkie, quantum, van, ford f150, truck do I need a PrDP?

It depends. If it’s a commercial vehicle, yes. If it has seats for more than 11 people, yes. If you are transporting people as part of your work, yes. Still not sure, read this article.

I have a code B, EB, C1, EC etc licence, and I want to get a code A, EC1 licence, etc do I have to redo my learners?

Yes. Regardless of what licence you hold, if you want to get a new licence of any code, you need to do a new learner’s licence for that code.

I am 18, 20, 25 years old, can I get a PrDP?

The minimum age for a PrDP licence is 18 for a G licence, 21 for a P licence, and 25 for a D licence.

This post gives a summary of the different Driver’s Licence Tests one can take in South Africa. What one is required to perform when taking the test. To do your driver’s licence you need to have a valid Learner’s Licence and appropriate vehicle for the test.

If you need more information on any of the below topics, all the instructions and guidelines are set out in excruciating detail on the eNATIS website, the documents will answer any question you can possibly have about the actual tests. See them all here.

All tests require a pre-trip inspection. These details vary per vehicle, but include such things as ensuring roadworthiness of vehicle, checking for obstructions and leaks as well as testing lights and other required electronics in the vehicle. A full list for the inspections is available for each vehicle in the earlier mentioned documents.

Motorbikes (A / A1)
There is no difference between the tests for an A or A1 licence. The entire test takes place in the yard and consists of a pre-trip inspection, a starting procedure and a skill test. You are required to supply a roadworthy motorcycle to do the test on; trikes, quads and sidecars are not permitted. Note: The bike you use will dictate what licence you get. If you use a 100cc motorbike you will only get an A1 licence, if you use an automatic (eg. scooters), that restriction will be on your licence.

The skills test comprises of the following.

Speed management (accelerating to 25kmph and then stopping at a fixed point)

Moving off/turn (drive in a straight line and turn left at marked area. Come to a stop before taking off again and turning a left corner again)

Lane change (accelerate in a straight line, do a lane change)

Incline start (from a stationary position, take off without rolling backwards)

Emergency stops/swerves (drive in a straight line, when a light comes on either stop or swerve depending on which light).

Light Motor Vehicles (B / EB)
For both B or EB the test consist of a pre-trip inspection, a yard and a road test. For the B test your vehicle must be a single vehicle with GVM less than 3.5 tons and be longer than 3m. For the EB you must either have an articulated motor vehicle with GCM less than 3.5 tons, or a combination of vehicles where the drawing vehicle has GVM less than 3.5 tons and the trailer is more than 750kg.

For the yard test, both tests consist of:

A turn (driving forward and round a corner)

An alley dock (reversing into a parking bay that is perpendicular to starting direction)

A parallel park (for EB the trailer is uncoupled)

An incline start (taking off from a stop on an incline)

Additionally an EB test requires a reverse in a straight line (reverse the vehicle while staying within the demarcated area)

The road test requires you to drive through a section of the town along preset routes. Their are certain minimum requirements for the route, but the driving is to test your ability to adhere to the K53 driving guidelines. Driving schools know these routes and the K53 guidelines and allow you to practise the routes before hand.

Heavy Motor Vehicles (C / C1 / EC / EC1)
For all codes the test consists of a pre-trip inspection, a yard and a road test. The test is for vehicles with GVM more than 3.5 tons, vehicles longer than 6m, vehicle combinations where the trailer GVM exceeds 350kg or an articulated vehicle GCM is more than 3.5 tons. Note: the licence you receive will be based on the vehicle you provide to test out on.

The yard test consists of:

A turn (driving forward and round a corner)

An alley dock (reversing into a parking bay that is perpendicular to starting direction)

An incline start (taking off from a stop on an incline)

A straight reverse (reverse the vehicle while staying within the demarcated area)

The road test is as for a Light Motor Vehicle (see above).

Conclusion
Getting a driver’s licence in South Africa is often said to be difficult. If you are a capable driver though and are able to follow instructions for half an hour you should have no problems passing the test.

Although expensive, it is often of great advantage to take lessons with an accredited driving school. They will teach you how to pass the test, allow you to practice the yard manoeuvres as well as drive you along the route the road test will take and critique you on your conformance to the K53 guidelines.

Comment Note: Over the next few months I will have minimal access to the blog, as such comments are being locked until further notice.

It constantly frustrates me how although since 1998 (16 years ago) the official licence system has made use of a system of letters to distinguish between different licence codes, to this day, people still, on a regular basis, refer to licence codes by the old number system.

To make things easier for people who are getting confused, I’ve pulled the data from the Road Traffic Act and put it together here, first the learner’s licence, then driver’s licence info. The system has undergone several changes over the decades and the time frame that each refers to is specified at the top of each column

I’ve also added a copy of a current driver’s licence to show what the current codes refer to.

Learner’s Licence system

learner’s licence issued before 1 March 1998

New/Current Learner’s Licence

What this currently entails

Code 01, 02, 03, 04 and 15

Code 1

Motorbike / trike

Code 05, 06, 07, 08

Code 2

LMV

code 10, 11, 13 and 14

Code 3

HMV or LMV

Driver’s Licence

Current

[1995 – 1998]

[01.06.1990 – 1995)

[31.12.1985 – 01.06.1990)

[01.02.1972 – 31.12.1985)

[01.01.1967 – 01.02.1972)

[… – 01.01.1967)

A1

Code 01

Code 01

Code 01

Code 01

Code 01

Code 01

A

Code 15

Code 02
Code 15
Code 03
Code 04

Code 02
Code 03
Code 04

Code 02
Code 03
Code 04

Code 02
Code 03

Code 02
Code 03

B

Code 05
Code 07

Code 05
Code 07

Code 05
Code 07

Code 05
Code 07

agricultural / industrial vehicles

EB

Code 08

Code 08

Code 08

Code 08

Code 08

Code 08

EC1

Code 10

Code 10

Code 10

Code 9

EC

Code 11
Code 13
Code 14

Code 11
Code 13
Code 14

Code 11
Code 13
Code 14

Code 10
Code 11

Code 10
Code 11

Code 10

Current SA driver’s licence codes

A code 6 licence could be given for any category licence referring to an electrically powered vehicle.
A code 12 licence could be given for any category licence referring to a vehicle that is specially adapted for use by a physically disabled person.